Lake County Biographies
JOSEPH L. READ
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Was born in Scott County, Kentucky, July 29, 1837. When he was
but a child his parents moved to Sullivan County, Missouri, where they resided
on a farm for fifteen years. In 1852 they crossed the plains to California,
arriving at Diamond Springs October 15th of that year. In the spring of 1853
they moved to Sacramento County, where they followed mining until 1857, when
they went to Solano County and engaged in farming, near Dixon. In 1861 the
subject of this sketch began farming on his own account, which he prosecuted
until 1874. He then came to Lake County, and settled on a farm about two miles
from Middletown, where he was engaged in that occupation until 1878. Since that
time he has been engaged in farming on rented land and in constructing roads
until January, 1881, when he was appointed Postmaster at Middletown, which
position he is now holding. In March, 1881, he was appointed a Notary Public in
and for Lake County by Governor George C. Perkins. Mr. Read was married, October
31, 1861, to Miss Margaret C. Davis, a native of Illinois, and they have five
living children: Susan L., John W. G., Joseph Lee, Johanna E. and Thomas A.; and
have lost three: George E., Jane and Ella.
"History of Napa and Lake Counties" 1881
JOSEPH L. READ. � For forty years Joseph L. Read has been one of the
vital forces in the life of Middletown, Lake county, where his efficient co-
operation in the progress of the community has gained him a place among its
foremost citizens. He has filled the office of postmaster, which he still holds,
for over a quarter of a century, and in that position and as founder and pub-
lsher of the Middletown Independent, the first newspaper of the town, he
has been one of its best known and most influential residents. Mr. Read has
lived in California since the early '50s, and in his younger years went through
the varied experiences of pioneer times. Familiar with the history and devel-
opment of this region through actual participation in its events, and thor-
oughly public-spirited in his attitude toward the working out of the best
interests of Lake county, he is a true Californian, and his part in the opening
and advancement of his adopted state and community has been highly cred-
itable.
The Read family is of Scotch origin and was founded in this country by
three brothers who came to America from Scotland, two stopping in the east
(one in New Jersey) and the other, the progenitor of the branch at present
under consideration, settling in Kentucky about the same time as Daniel
Boone. Samuel Read, father of Joseph L. Read, was born in Kentucky. The
spirit of the pioneer was in his blood. At the time his son Joseph was born
he was living in Scott county, Ky., whence he moved in 1838 to Howard
county, Mo., but soon afterward went to Sullivan county, that state, where he
bought land and was interested in farming until 1852. Meantime, however,
he had crossed the plains with oxen in 1849, coming to California, where he
engaged in mining for gold at Mariposa two years. Returning to Missouri,
via Panama, he again came to California in the year 1852, and again crossed the
plains with ox-teams, this time bringing his family, consisting of wife and
seven children. Three other children had died in infancy. Joseph L. Read,
who was fifteen years old at the time, recalls the trip very distinctly. The
party was not bothered seriously by the Indians, but cholera had broken out
on the trail, and there were daily deaths and graves all along the way. Many,
discouraged, turned back. Samuel Read was the only one of their party to
have an attack of cholera, but was saved by prompt medical attention. How-
ever, one of the sons. James A., died near the head of the Humboldt that year.
Arriving at Diamond Spring. Eldorado county, Cal., all the men and boys
went to work immediately in the mines, and the surviving members of the
family are all residents of the state now. Samuel Read had married Elizabeth
Leach, a native of Kentucky, but member of an old Maryland family ; her
mother was born in Baltimore, likely of German origin. Of the ten children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Read three died in infancy, the others being: John J.,
now a resident of Shasta county (he is an invalid) ; James A., who was twenty
years old at the time of his death, on the plains, in 1852; Joseph L. ; Ebenezer.
who is a farmer, residing at Orland. Glenn county ; Thomas, who died forty
years ago. leaving four children ; William E., who is a general clerk in the post
office at San Francisco, where he has been employed for more than twenty
years; and E. Elizabeth, wife of H. L. Burmeister. a retired farmer, living in
Santa Rosa.
Joseph L. Read was born July 29, 1837, in Scott county, Ky., and in 1838
was taken to Missouri by his parents, growing up on a farm in that state.
The schools there were poor in those days, so that most of his education was
obtained by experience, of which he had plenty. When the family settled in
California he went to work with pick and shovel, at placer mining, and did
well, and he also took advantage of the pay schools in the neighborhood,
attending a few weeks each winter until he was grown. He first came to
Lake county in the fall of 1860, and spent the winter. Then he went back
to Eldorado county, but came again to Lake county in 1861. in which year
he was married to Margaret Davis, of Big Valley, near Kelseyville. They set-
tled in Dixon, Solano county, where Mr. Read farmed until 1874, since which
year he has been a resident of Middletown. which town had been started in
1872. Buying a ranch two miles northeast of the town, he operated it for four
years. In 1879 he became postmaster, holding the office until 1885, after Cleve-
land's election. Meanwhile, in partnership with P. B. Graham, he started the
first newspaper in the town, the Independent, with which he was connected,
though not continuously, for a number of years, selling his interest and buying
it back. Part of the time he conducted it alone, part of the time as member
of the firm of Read & Pentecost, after which he again became sole owner;
later he sold out to A. O. Stanley, one of the present owners. Under the Har-
rison administration he was again appointed postmaster, vacated the office
when Cleveland returned to the presidential chair, and was once more ap-
pointed under McKinley, sixteen years ago, having filled the position without
a break in his service since. He is one of the oldest postmasters in the state.
Though seventy-seven years old Mr. Read bears no evidence of his age ex-
cept his gray hair and beard. His health is robust, and he is at his duties
daily, looking after the business of the office personally, though his son is
assistant postmaster. His contact with so many of the residents of the vicin-
ity has given him a wide acquaintance, and his relations with his fellow citi-
zens have always been pleasant, his intelligent and obliging service as a pub-
lic official winning him a high place in their esteem. He has the confidence
and respect of all who know him. Mr. Read is associated with church and
fraternal work in the town, being a member and trustee of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He was made a Mason at Vacaville Lodge but is now con-
nected with Callayomi Lodge No. 282, F. & A. M.
Mr. and Mrs. Read have had a family of twelve children, of whom six
grew to maturity : Susan L. is the wife of G. A. Fickes, of Middletown, a
carpenter and builder; John G., of San Francisco, is a street car conductor;
Annie, who was the wife of A. J. Lhuillier, a farmer, perished in the forest fire
at Cloverdale two years ago; Thomas A. is a druggist at Middletown and is
supervisor of district No. 1, Lake county; Warren E. is engaged in the state
printing office at Sacramento ; Ralph H. is his father's assistant in the post
office and is a member of the Masons and Foresters of America.
Thomas A. Read, son of Joseph L. Read, was born January 1, 1872, at
Manchester, Mendocino county, Cal. He was but two years old when his
parents settled at Middletown, where he grew up and received his education,
attending public school. For twelve years he was connected with the Middle-
town Independent, during the last four years of that period as co-proprietor
with his father, having bought out the interest of Joseph Pentecost. For
seven years after that he was clerk in Piner's store in Middletown, until he
became manager of the store at the Great Western quick silver mine, three
and a half miles from town, continuing to hold that position until the mine
closed down, in September, 1909. He has since been in business for himself,
having bought the drug store at Middletown, which he is conducting very
successfully. Mr. Read is one of the trusted officials of his locality, being
supervisor of the First district of Lake county, to which position he was
elected in November, 1912. Like his father he is a stanch Republican, and
he has been active in the councils of his party, having served as member of
the county central committee. He is a Mason, holding membership in the
lodge at Middletown, and in that connection, as well as in his business and
official associations, holds the respect of all his fellows. In 1897 Mr. Read
married Miss Nellie Fraser, daughter of Dr. Eraser, then of Middletown, now
residing at Point Richmond, Cal. Four children have been born to them,
Lena, Lillie, Alice and Donald. The family has a comfortable home at Mid-
dletovvn.
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In
One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper